Throughout UCF’s undefeated run, people wanted to see the Knights play better competition. They wanted to see the Knights overcome some adversity in a close game.

With the nation’s eyes upon them Friday, the Knights passed both tests.

In one of the best college football games of the season, UCF beat USF 49-42, with the winning score coming on a kick return by Mike Hughes with 1:28 to play. The game won UCF the American Athletic Conference East division and hosting rights for the Dec. 2 conference title game, and it kept an undefeated season and a New Year’s Six bowl berth hopes alive.

They also became the first team in FBS history to go from winless to undefeated within two seasons.

“Yeah, this one does feel a little different and I don’t usually say that.” UCF coach Scott Frost said. “They’re a really good football team so that makes it different. They are from just down the road and that makes it different. We just finished off an undefeated regular season, which is damn near impossible to do. So, it does feel a little different. I didn’t have a lot of words ready for the team afterwards, because I was emotional and they were emotional. You could just feel the bond in there of a group of guys that have sacrificed themselves for something bigger than individuals, and those are the kind of locker rooms I want to be.”

UCF jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the opening quarter, but the Knights scored one touchdown over their next nine drives. USF mounted a comeback, led by quarterback Quinton Flowers, who finished with 640 total yards and five touchdowns. He became the sixth player in FBS history to total at least 60 passing touchdowns and 40 rushing touchdowns in his career.

“I’m going to go back and watch that tape to remember exactly what happened,” Frost said. “There were highs and there were lows. In the first quarter when we got the ball back 21-7 about midfield and with the way we were moving the ball; I thought we were going to go put it away early.

“They made those adjustments on defense. We kept getting stopped and not getting first downs by a yard and by a foot, and that was frustrating. Then, they got back in the game. Then, we scored in the third quarter. Then, they scored a couple times. We threw a pick and then they’re ahead. I am just so proud this team kept its cool, kept its calm, and kept plugging and usually championship teams find a way to get it done, and this team is a championship team.”

With UCF leading 35-34 and less than five minutes to play, the game shifted into high gear. The Knights drove deep into USF territory with three minutes to go. Instead of draining any clock, UCF scored a screen pass touchdown from quarterback McKenzie Milton to Otis Anderson and an extra point to push their lead to 42-34. Milton held up his own with Flowers, finishing 29-for-44 for 373 yards and five total touchdowns.

But on the very next play from scrimmage, USF answered with an 83-yard touchdown pass from Flowers, coupled with a two-point conversion to tie the game.

Hughes’ kick return gave UCF the lead right back with 1:28 to go.

“I was on headset kind of in disbelief that we just gave up that touchdown,” Frost said. “We had some busts in coverage today and had a huge mistake on that long touchdown at the end. I said on the headset that I hope we can get a decent return here. I was thinking if he can get it out close to midfield, then we would only need a first down or two to be in field goal range for Matt (Wright), and man he hit that thing full speed. He's been a difference maker on our football team all year, he’s been a good teammate, and we’re happy he’s here.”

USF returned the ensuing kickoff near midfield, but a completion into UCF territory was fumbled by USF’s Mitchell Wilcox and recovered by UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin to end the game.

Two years ago, Frost took over a team coming off an 0-12 season, but also two years removed from a Fiesta Bowl win.

On Friday UCF kept its goals alive, and in the process likely kept its coach for at least another week. On Friday, multiple reports indicated Florida has moved on from Chip Kelly for its head coaching job. ESPN also reported Florida officials are scheduled to meet with Frost’s representatives in Orlando. Asked about job speculation, Frost dismissed it.

“We don’t even think about it,” he said. “I owe these players my 100 percent, and that’s what I’m giving them. I’m going to keep giving it to them, because we’ve got Memphis coming next Saturday.”

Freshman running back Otis Anderson echoed that sentiment. “We have practice every day, so we can’t really dwell on it too long,” he said. “The next morning you wake up and have to be ready for whatever’s coming to us. I don’t really like to talk about him maybe leaving, because we're having a great season right now and I don’t want any bad to come out of this, so I just keep my head forward.”

Now, barring an ECU upset of Memphis on Saturday, the Knights are heading toward a rematch with Memphis, this time with a New Year’s Six bowl berth on the line.

Chris Vannini covers the Group of Five conferences, college football coaching and national college football for The All-American. He previously was managing editor of CoachingSearch.com. Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisVannini.